Letter: Lonegan's solution to school violence should disqualify him from office

There has been an outpouring of “thoughts and prayers” from our various elected (and aspiring) leaders, directed at the hundreds of victims of mass shootings in our country.
However, even the most devout among us would agree that “thoughts and prayers” cannot stop a bullet. That is, except for Steve Lonegan, a declared Republican candidate for Congress in New Jersey’s 5th Legislative District. Recently, Lonegan expressed that the solution to these mass murders, was to have prayers in public schools.

Setting aside Mr. Lonegan’s inappropriate exploitation of a horrible tragedy to advance his school prayer agenda, I suggest that Lonegan’s “solution”, disqualifies him for the office that he seeks. Unless our elected officials directly deal with gun violence and the proliferation of assault weapons, all the prayer in the world will not stop the bloodshed.
In contrast, the incumbent Mr. Lonegan seeks to replace, Congressman Josh Gotthiemer, known for reaching across the aisle has co-sponsored bills to expand background checks, and to ban “bump stocks” like those used in the Las Vegas massacre. Gotthiemer also voted against a “reciprocity act” that would allow Florida residents to “open carry” guns here in New Jersey.

We need real solutions to the gun violence epidemic. Let our prayers remain in our homes, our hearts and our places of worship and let legislators like Gotthiemer continue to work to enact laws that can actually protect us and our families.